Don’t be the only household on your street lit up like a Christmas tree tomorrow night. Earth Hour will be taking place, and you’re requested to switch off lights and non-essential appliances for one hour between 8pm and 9pm on Saturday 29 March.

We boldly led the charge last year in Sydney and this year 24 cities around the world have taken the campaign global.

What’s the idea? Maybe Nelly Furtado can explain. What’s the big deal? Global warming is, and you get a sense of why if you measure your footprint on the environment. The Zerofootprint calculator can calculate how many tonnes of carbon you produce alone, through driving, travel, diet, and living at home.

A chance to do something good and ideal opportunity to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do in the dark – you know – get to bed early, hold a night picnic or impress the other half with a candle-lit dinner?

For some more inspiration, Sydney Observatory is holding an Earth Hour Open Night, giving all budding astronomers the chance to utilise a city in darkness for optimal star gazing.  RSVP.com.au is hosting the SkyTower Singles Dinner and there’ll be a torch-lit beach party on Avalon Beach. No excuse for it being too cold either. Even the Casey Research Station team, located just outside the Antarctic Circle is taking part.

At our last count 241,903 individuals and 17,575 businesses had signed up to turn out their lights to symbolise their leadership and commitment to finding solutions for climate change.

So remember, lights out.

Earth Hour